Band Notes | Mason Bands

Upcoming Events

Sunday, November 8

Hallway Decorating: 6-9pm; MHS Music Wing
Grand Nats Transportation Waivers due by 11:59pm
OMEA District 13 Honor Band sign-ups due by 11:59pm

Monday, November 9

Full Band: 3:30-6:30pm; Let’s Play
Medication Drop off for Grand Nationals: 4:15-6:15 pm–sign up on Booster Hub

Tuesday, November 10

Full Band: 3:30-6:30pm; Let’s Play

Wednesday, November 11

Full Band: 3:30-6:30pm; Let’s Play

Thursday, November 12

BOA Grand Nationals - Preliminaries
- Full Band: 10am; Let’s Play

- - Students MUST be dropped off - they cannot park at Let’s Play!

Family & Friends Band SEND-OFF: 2:00-2:15pm (arrive early); Marion's Piazza
Mason’s Preliminary Performance: 8:45pm; Lucas Oil Stadium
Band returns home from Indianapolis: approximately 12am (dismissal follows unloading and clean up); MHS

Friday, November 13

BOA Grand Nationals (not a performance day)
- Full Band: 9:30am; Let’s Play

- - Students MUST be dropped off - they cannot park at Let’s Play!

Family & Friends Band SEND-OFF: 2:00-2:15pm; Let’s Play
Preliminaries Awards and Semi-Finalist Announcement: 9:00pm; Lucas Oil Stadium (free live stream on YouTube)

Saturday, November 14

BOA Grand Nationals - Semi-Finals & Finals

Mason’s Semi-Finals Performance: TBD morning or afternoon; Lucas Oil Stadium
Semi-Finals Awards and Finalists Announcement: 5:00pm; Lucas Oil Stadium (free live stream on YouTube)
Mason’s Finals Performance (if we qualify): TBD evening; Lucas Oil Stadium

Sunday, November 15

Band returns home from Indianapolis: approximately 12:15pm; MHS

Remind notices will provide most up to date information

Future planned events can be found on the updated band calendar: Mason Band Calendar.

Parent To Do Checklist For This Week

Pay any overdue experience fees #1 and #2.
Complete Grand Nats Transportation Waiver if needed by TONIGHT, Sunday, November 8
Optional: Drop off any posters you want to provide for Grand Nats hallway decorating on Sunday, Nov. 8 from 6-9 pm.
Optional: Sign up for OMEA District 13 Honor Band auditions by TONIGHT, Sunday, November 8.
Monday 11/9 4:15-6:15 pm – Drop off medication for Grand Nats if needed - sign up for a slot in BoosterHub. 8/12 spaces full for both time slots; will add drop off on Tuesday if needed.
Competitive Winter Guard: Sign up for auditions.
Purchase your poinsettias by November 22. Poinsettia Order Form
Senior Parents: Send pictures for the Senior Slideshow at Awards Night on December 1
Optional: Order a memory book

NEW INFORMATION

🔥A Blazing Congratulations!🔥

Congratulations to the William Mason High School Marching Band on an outstanding performance at the MSBA Class AAAAA Championships! The band brought home 1st Place in Class AAAAA and earned all caption awards, capping off an incredible championship performance! What a fantastic accomplishment for our Fire Horse students and staff!

An achievement like this takes an incredible amount of teamwork, dedication, and support both on and off the field. We are so thankful to everyone who played a part in making the championship experience a success! A special thank you to our Pit Crew, Uniform Crew, Color Guard Crew, Chaperones, Band Aids, Photo Corps, Staff, and all of the families and supporters who continue to show up, lend a hand, and cheer our students on.

Congratulations to everyone involved on an exceptional performance and a championship to celebrate! The Fire Horse continues to blaze its trail! 🔥🐎

Check out pictures on smugmug later this week.

MSBA Championships Volunteer Thank Yous

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help make yesterday’s event a huge success! We especially appreciate all the people stepped up to work multiple shifts to cover gaps.

As always, there were a lot of people who have been working hard behind the scenes for weeks and even months planning and preparing for the event. These folks also were the first to arrive yesterday morning (yes, morning!) and the last to leave late last night.

MSBA Championships Chairs - A huge thank you for your leadership in planning and executing such a large and important event for our band program. We are so appreciative of all of you.

Ann Higdon Wiesman
- Kevin Upchurch (co-chair-in-training)
Julie Chaney
Whitley Winstanley

Band Directors- We are grateful for your support and guidance throughout the planning phase of the competition and during the event itself.

Competition Committee Leads- Special thanks to all of you for taking on the task of running specific areas of the Championships! The day ran smoothly due to your leadership, flexibility, and the hard work you put in all day.

Alex Riley - Announcer - Mason Drum Major alum and current IU student.
Kate Davis - Ticketing
Jim Mills - Concessions
Uday Kiran Gannavarapu/Avious Jackson - Tabulations/Judges
Tim Rapp - Parking
Scott Sojda - On Field Staging, Control & Exit
Chris Minniear - Band Guides, Band Check-in, and Watering Station
Alison Adduci - Bake Sale
Angie Gdovin/Nancy Riley - Photography
Amanda Hrenko - Spirit booth
Kelly Hall - Candy Grams/Shout Outs
Jen Livingston - Hospitality
Blake Norfleet/Aaron Smith - Truck and Bus Parking
Shari Whited - Car Raffle
Kate Bubak - Volunteer Check-In
Lee Chaney - Ushers
Jennifer Rodway - Sponsorship
Annie & Rob Baxter - Feed the Band

Uniform Crew- This team is filled with miracle workers! As always you worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure our kids looked sharp and pristine out on the field!

Pit Crew- You not only took care of our props and equipment but all the heavy lifting of set up and tear down of the event. The Pit Crew also ran the truck/bus lot, as well as our own truck (which is headed back to Let’s Play).

Color Guard Crew- Thank you to the dedicated volunteers who continue to put in so much time keeping our competition uniforms looking great! We know it’s not one and done - those things take maintenance! And the hair and makeup…you really are amazing! Thank you for making sure our color guard members are taken care of and look great on the field.

Announcers- Thank you to our alumni duo for being the voice of the competition and making sure everyone had the information they needed throughout the evening.

Photo Crew- Words cannot express how wonderful it is to have you capture the special memories of the competition so the rest of us can simply enjoy the day. Your photos are simply breathtaking!

Financial Team- Thank you for taking on the difficult task of keeping our finances in order and keeping track of our profits we make from such a large event. Your job is often unseen by others but is incredibly time consuming and important to our organization.

Mike Deardorff
Steve Sullivan

Booster Board- You all did so much behind the scenes these past several weeks.

Band Aids and Chaperones- Thank you for taking care of our kids. We can always trust our kids are in good hands and well cared for with you.

Every Volunteer- Thank you to all the parents, alumni, extended family, and friends who stepped up to volunteer a shift, multiple shifts, and in some cases the entire day to make sure we filled all the critical spots we needed to make the day run smoothly. We are also grateful to those who contributed yummy food and drinks for both the bake sale and for hospitality.

School administrators, facility coordinators, janitors, and other school staff- Your support and behind the scenes work did not go unnoticed.

Students- Most importantly thanks to you for putting on a fantastic performance and making us so proud! You are the reason everyone listed above goes to so much effort.

Thanks again!

Car Raffle Winners

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Car Raffle, in partnership with Audi Cincinnati East! We did not sell enough tickets to give away the Audi Q3, but our Grand Prize winner received a rather nice cash prize!

Grand Prize: Eileen Breeze
Second Place: Michael Bahm
Third Place: Nancy Upchurch

A huge thank you to everyone who helped support Mason Bands by purchasing raffle tickets!

🎺Spirit🎺

A HUGE thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers who helped make the Spirit Booth at the MSBA Championship a success! I appreciate everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to help. We couldn't do it without you!

🍬 Candy Mug Pickup 🍬

I will be at Let's Play after practice on Tuesday to distribute the Grand Nationals Candy Mugs.

If you ordered a Candy Mug, please remind your student to stop by and pick theirs up!

Thank you again for all your support!

Grand Nationals - Information & Student Schedule

Hello Families! The week we have all been working so hard towards is nearly here! Below you will find all of the information you need to know to prepare your student to have the best travel experience possible.

ITINERARY

Tentative Student Itinerary – See multiple-day tables below.

PLEASE NOTE! The Itinerary is subject to change and we will communicate any important changes as soon as we know of them! Saturday is always a big unknown from a student schedule perspective as we do not know our performance times until late Friday night.

STUDENT DROP OFF/PARKING INSTRUCTIONS

THURSDAY & FRIDAY:

For both departures (Thursday and Friday) The Band will be departing from Let’s Play Sports in the morning. Return trips conclude at the Mason High School Bus Circle.

PLEASE NOTE: For THURSDAY You MUST make plans to drop off your student at Let’s Play on Thursday morning and pick them up at Mason High School Thursday evening.

PLEASE NOTE: For FRIDAY You MUST make plans to drop off your student at Let’s Play on Friday morning and pick them up at Mason High School Sunday afternoon.

NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO LEAVE THEIR CARS AT LET’S PLAY OVER THE WEEKEND!

Students may park cars in their SCHOOL ASSIGNED spot at MHS on Thursday and Friday morning prior to getting dropped off at Let’s Play to have access upon returning home to drive home! Please MAKE A PLAN to ensure you are on time on both mornings.

Chaperones! We will be coordinating shuttling to and from MHS on Thursday and Friday mornings, so if you need a ride over to the MHS to park your car, please make sure to arrange that transportation. School IS in session on Thursday and Friday, so we must use the Visitor spots in front of the school (or your student’s assigned spot).

PACKING LIST

Personal water bottle (FILLED, ready for rehearsal each morning)
Portable charger for phone
Performance Clothes (including underlayers!):

For Instrumentalists these must be black/dark tops and shorts/leggings.

For Guard these must be Competitive garments/accessories in the Lookbook

Instrument/Flags/Rifles/Sabres with travel tags
Day Bag or Day Backpack - will go inside the bus with travel tag

Deodorant, hair brush (if needed for performances)

Mason Band Jacket/ Sweatshirt/Hat

Snacks for bus.

Cashless Spending Money (again cashless, so use credit card or use cash-to-card kiosks located at Lucas Oil sections 105 & 129). The provided travel lanyard can be used to store money, credit cards and hotel key.

FRI-SUN Overnight Bag with tag - will go under the bus on Friday.

Overnight gear and toiletries (toothbrush, deodorant/hair brush if not in day bag etc,)

Daily casual outfit, socks, underwear, SHOES (to change into/out of uniforms)

Snacks for hotel

We will have VERY LIMITED water bottles available on the bus or at the hotel so please ensure students have a water bottle to fill. Ice machines are available at the hotel.

LUCAS OIL STADIUM INFO

Lucas Oil Stadium has a clear bag policy. Clear bags cannot exceed 12”x 6” x 12” or a 1-gallon size freezer bag

Mason Bands Spirit is selling stadium-compliant clear bags. Please see Amanda Hrenko or email her at spirit@masonbandboosters.com
Small clutch bags or a purse approximately the size of a hand are allowed.

Medication/medical equipment bags are allowed but will be searched. (Students may not carry their own medication unless they have submitted appropriate documentation per our band medication policy)
Cameras are allowed but no tripods or video cameras.

Students will be provided with a passport-sized lanyard to store cash/cards/etc

Lucas Oil Stadium is a cashless facility.

Please keep this in mind when spectating and sending money for concessions/souvenirs with your student.
There are cash-to-card kiosks located at Lucas Oil sections 105 & 129.

HOTEL

Friday and Saturday Nights:

Marriott Indianapolis East & Fontana Hotels @ 7202 East 21st St, Indianapolis, IN 46219
Will return to Mason HS on Sunday afternoon.

TRIP COMMUNICATION

If you have not done so already, we highly recommend that you join the parent Remind group associated with your student’s section. This will be the main form of communication to parents throughout the trip.

PARENT GROUPS
*Remind Group:*	*Code to text in the message to 81010:*
*Woodwind PARENTS*	@wwpar26
*Brass PARENTS*	@brpar26
*Percussion PARENTS*	@percpar26
*Guard PARENTS*	@ grdpar26

Indy Grand National Championships Travel Waiver Remind Group (for those picking up on Sunday 1am or Sunday 8am only). Text @2026gnt to 81010.

TICKETS

We encourage family and friends to make the drive to Indianapolis for the Grand National Championship to cheer on the band! This is a ticketed event and tickets may be purchased on the Bands of America website. See links to purchase tickets below:

Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at Ticketmaster.com OR the Southeast Ticket Office of Lucas Oil Stadium Thursday-Saturday of Grand Nationals.
Will-Call tickets may be picked up at the Southeast Ticket Office.

Prelim Tickets (Mason performs on Thursday) $44 each day + Taxes (GA Tickets) Grand Nationals: Thursday 11/12 Preliminaries
Semi-Finals $57-$86 + Taxes (GA and Reserved available) Grand Nationals: Saturday 11/14 Semi Finals
Finals Tickets range from $33-$164.80 + Taxes (Reserved Tickets) Grand Nationals: Saturday 11/14 Finals

Grand Nationals - Transportation Waiver

If you plan to check out your student to transport them home from Grand Nationals, you will need to complete the Google form below by Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 11:59pm. See form for check out times/locations and for more information. Travelling home with the band is preferred.

2026 Grand Nationals Transportation Waiver Form

Student and Adult MUST also join the Indy Grand Nationals Travel Waiver Remind Group: text @2026gnt to 81010.

Reminder: Students Responsible for Missed School Work Due to Trip!

This week, students should begin to check in with their other teachers to remind them about the absence and come up with a plan for any missed material or assignments. While teachers are made aware of the absence via the student trip calendar, it is the responsibility of students to handle checking in with individual teachers to make arrangements for missed work.

If you need to use a band class during the week of Grand Nationals (11/9-11/11) or the week after (11/16-11/19) to make up something you will be missing, please communicate with your teacher and your concert band director to arrange this.

Parents do not need to report your student absent from school these days. All students enrolled in marching band have an approved field trip absence already logged with the attendance office.

Poster Pick Up & Spirit Send Offs

You may pick up any posters you used to decorate the hallways on Wed. 11/11 from 7-9pm. Come in the high school music wing door to collect your poster. Please be aware there is a sports banquet taking place in the small commons at that time. If you cannot pick up your poster, we will transport them to Marion’s for the noon send off on Thursday. You will find them in a white Ford pick up truck parked behind Marion’s adjacent to the send off area.

Thursday 11/13 send off is 2pm behind Marion’s & Friday 11/14 send off is 2pm in front of Let’s Play. Come a bit early, as buses will roll when loading is complete!

Medical Secretary Notes

A FEW REMINDERS:

All medications go through our Medical Secretary and need to be dropped off by a parent (per Mason City Schools policy) by arranging a time with Sally McDonald, our Medical Secretary by email: MedicalSecretary -
You can continue to submit Medication forms as the need arises. Please think ahead to get them filled out by your doctor and submitted prior to our Grand National travel dates! Click Here to access our Medication Policy (i.e. blank DMS forms and upload instructions).
BOA GRAND NATIONALS: travel dates 11/12 - 11/15.
1. Booster Hub Sign Ups are Open!
2. Increased to 12 slots per hour, giving us 5 minutes per person.
3. Drop off times MONDAY 11/9/26 4:15 - 6:15 pm at Let’s Play rehearsal.
4. ONLY bring the amount we need for the trip.
5. Link to sign up for drop off: Booster Hub Sign Ups

Student Experience Fee #3 Waived

Our travel was lighter this year and we’ve been watching our budgets closely, so we’ve decided to waive Student Experience Fee #3. What would have been $400 is now zero. We hope this helps you jump-start your savings for Macy’s!

If you already pre-paid this fee, please contact treasurer@masonbandboosters.com for a refund.

If your account is past due, please catch up on your balance, or reach out to travel@masonbandboosters.com to work out a plan that fits your family.

Sponsorship

Know a company that would love to see its name and logo featured on the band’s semi-trucks, T-shirts, website, and programs while supporting an outstanding music program?

We are always looking for new sponsors! With the exciting honor of being selected to march in the 2027 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mason Bands has an incredible year ahead. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, along with our many performances and events, would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors.

If you own, work for, or know of a business or individual who may be interested in supporting our program, please share their contact information with our Sponsorship Committee, Jennifer Rodway, at sponsorship@masonbandboosters.com.

Mason Band Boosters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and we would love the opportunity to talk with prospective sponsors!

Learn more about sponsorship opportunities on our website.

Pep Band 2026-2027 Information

We are excited to get our Pep Band season started! Pep band is a great way to play some fun music with your friends, while supporting our school and community. The first game this season for Pep Band is in December.

CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULE, BAND LISTS, AND MORE INFO!

This year, each member of Concert Winds, Symphonic Band, and Wind Symphony will again be responsible for three basketball games as part of their grade for the Spring Semester.

For all students in Concert White, Silver and Green pep band is not required but students are welcome and encouraged to attend if they want to visit with their friends and perform to support our school and community!

REMINDERS

OMEA HONOR BAND AUDITIONS - Sign up by Tonight, Nov. 8

Click here for SIGNUP FORM, MUSIC and MORE INFORMATION!

OMEA Honor Band Music has been released! It is available for download in the link above. Paper copies are also available in the band room, in the bins near the woodwind room on the table. This audition music will also be re-used for Concert Band Auditions (more info in December).

Honor Band Auditions are on Saturday Dec 5th, and the deadline to register to audition is Sunday, November 8th

Booster Meeting Slides and Q&A

Thank you to everyone who attended the Booster Meeting on Thursday! Below you will find slides from the meeting, along with answers to the Slido questions from the meeting.

10-29-2026 Booster Meeting Slides

Slido Questions & Answers Doc

Competitive Winter Guard

We are down to the final four weeks of the marching band season, which means it’s time to start gearing up for winter guard! Our MHS Competitive Winter Guard will return to the floor this season in Scholastic Open Class, competing in both the MEPA and WGI circuits.

We’re excited to welcome back our talented and dedicated creative team: Byron on design, David on staging, and Tyler on choreography. The competitive season will culminate at the 2027 WGI World Championships in April, followed by our annual Spring Recital featuring all of our winter groups.

Please see the links below for more information, as always reach out to Mrs. Sleepy with any questions!

CWG Info Document 2027

CWG Audition Registration Form

CWG Season Calendar

Senior Parents: Pictures Needed for Awards Night

We would like to recognize each of the seniors at our Marching Band Awards Ceremony planned for Tuesday, December 1, 2026. If you have attended this celebration in the past, you know that we like to put together a slide show of pictures submitted by each senior’s family. The family keeps the picture choices a secret from their student until the big night. So how can you help us?

Please start picking out your favorite pictures, usually 3-4 pictures from infancy to now. Please email them to: seniors@masonbandboosters.com.

Be sure to include the name of your student.

****We need pictures NO LATER THAN November 20, 2026****

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to seniors@masonbandboosters.com.

Poinsettia Sale is Live Now

Our Annual Poinsettia Fundraiser Is Here!

Celebrate the beauty and joy of the season while supporting the Mason Bands!

Our annual Poinsettia Sale is officially LIVE! Whether you’re adding festive color to your home or sharing the spirit of the season with a thoughtful gift, our beautiful poinsettias are the perfect choice.

Need gifts for Mason teachers and staff? We’ve got you covered! Place your orders, and we’ll take care of the delivery.

Every purchase makes a difference and helps support our talented student musicians. Thank you for your continued generosity and for investing in our students and the Mason Bands. Your support means so much to us!

Poinsettia pick-up will be Saturday, December 12 at the Mason Early Childhood Center in front of the main entrance.

Order link: https://form.jotform.com/Masonbands/mason-poinsettia

Order today and help us make this season merry, bright, and full of music!

Order Your Memory Book by December 2!

(Cover art will likely change.)

Every year, the Photo Corps puts together a memory book to celebrate the season, covering band camps, rehearsals, games, competitions, and behind-the-scene moments. This year’s memory book will be a soft cover book with approximately 70 pages. Be sure to order by December 2 for $55.

Memory book order form

Secret Buddy

Secret buddy is a fun and completely optional way for your child to spread a little happiness while giving (and receiving) treats. Students will “gift” their secret buddy snacks/treats and drinks throughout the season on selected dates - see below. Signed-up students will now be paired up with a buddy. Data submitted on the sign up form by your child’s buddy will be shared in order for your student to find out more about snack/treat preferences and any allergies or dietary concerns. Buddy information will be shared to students via email no later than August 28th.

If your child wants to be a buddy, please make sure they take good care of their buddy!

Also, it’s more fun to try to keep your identity secret until Grand Nationals.

There is one remaining Secret Buddy exchanges this season:

Nov 13 - Friday BOA Grand Nationals

Any questions, please reach out to vp-studentexperience@masonbandboosters.com.

2026 Marching Band Registration Forms Are Live

The Marching Band 2026 Registration Guide is now live!

The Registration Guide has detailed information about each step in the process.

Marching Band Registration Next Steps:

Student Experience Fee #3 - WAIVED
PAST DUE:
- MB 2026 COMMITMENT FORM
- Marching Band School Fee #1, $400 via PaySchools Central or check to Mason City Schools
- Marching Band School Fee #2, $400 via PaySchools Central or check to Mason City Schools
- Consumables Form and Payment
  - Instrumentalists
  - Color Guard
- Marching Band School Fee #3, $400 via PaySchools Central or check to Mason City Schools
- Student Experience Fee #1, $400 to Mason Band Boosters
  - Invoice were sent on 7/12 via email from: quickbooks@notification.intuit.com
- Student Experience Fee #2, $400 to Mason Band Boosters
  - Invoices were sent on 8/16 via email from: quickbooks@notification.intuit.com
- FINAL FORMS
  - Fill out all forms - be sure to switch to 2026-2027
  - Upload a current physical - blank physical form
- Complete Student Care Forms
- Accept BoosterHub Invite (new families)

Other Marching Band Documents:

IMPORTANT: For all payments by check - please include the student’s name and student ID and the fee you are paying on the memo line of the check. Example: “Jane Doe 987654 Band Fee 1”

School fees are available in PaySchools Central. You will find the fees under Performing Arts.